The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-09-07
BAYARD HOPEFUL.
The Canadian Fisheries Question in . Fair
Way Tor Settlement
Appointment of the British Commission
Avoids Further triangular Negotia-
tons Bayards Power.

WASHINGTON, September 2.-Secretary
Bay ard spoke fully and freely TO CORE
spondent this afternoon in regard to the
new phase assumed by the Canadian fish
cries question. He regarded it as a most
hopeful indication of 9 speedy, just aud
honorable settlement of these long pend
ing difficulties that the British Govern
ment had itself taken steps to put an end
TO the triangular manner in which the ne
gotiatiOns had hitherto been source OF
perpetual embarrassment. Every PROPOSE
lion submitted by the United States had
TO be referred to Canada for the views OF
the Dominion Government, and after
months of delay it would be returned with
the Canadian objections and the whole
routine would have to be gone over again.
Secretary Bsyard especially referred to
the proposition made by him to Lord Id
desleigh, British Secretary for Foreign At
fairs, who subsequently, died. That proPo-
sition remained unanswered for months
after Lord Iddesleigh's death and was
finally returned to the United States by
Lord Salisbury with the Canadian objec-
lions. Secretary Bsyard went on 10 say that
all the embarrassmentsa and delaysThieh had
hampered negotiations in times past
would be obviated by the appointment of
the royal commissioners, clothed with full
authority to speak both for Great Britain
ard the Dominion of Canada. The State
department. 0dQ not u6eu duNiS6Q
as to who would constitute the commission
on the part of Great Britain, but it was re.
garded as highly probabls that it would
consist of Mr.. Joseph Chamberlain, Sir
John Macdonald, or some other leading
representative of the Dominion Govern
ment, and the British minister at Wash
iDgton.
It was not correct, as stated in cable dis
patches from London, that the American
commissioners had already bsen selected.
In the absence of direct authority from
Congress, there could be no United States
commissioners appointed with full powers
such as those possessed by the commits
siOners designated by the British
crown. All the American repre-
sentatiTes could do would b5 to agree
upon an amendment or an Interpretation
of tie treaty of 1878 which would have to
he laid before the nited Ststes Senate for
its action before it could take effect. In
point of fact United State Gem missioners
were not absolutely necessary. The Score.
fary of State himself as sole representative
OF the United States, c1uld negotiate a
treaty, subisct of course to ratification by
the President and Senate Just as Mr.
Marcy, then Secretary of State, did in 1854
with Lord Elgiu, then Governor Gensral
of Canada. Bot il Great Britain wished
the negotiations to De Jnducted by three
representatives on each side, that desire
might very properly be complied with by
the President. Secretary Baysrd intimsted
that, in his judgment, this would probably
be the best course; and subsequent, con-
yersation left the impression on the mind
of the correspondent that the President, in
al probability, would designate two other
able international jurists TO cooperate
with the Secretary of State in the ne
gotiatiOus.